tarkentaa

Tarkentaa is a Finnish verb meaning to specify, clarify, or elaborate by adding further details to a statement, plan, or description. It is commonly used in formal and technical contexts, such as project documentation, meetings, and written reports, where precision and clarity are important.

Etymology and form: The verb derives from the adjective tarkka, meaning precise, with the suffix -ent- that forms verbs indicating increasing precision. It is a regular -aa verb and follows standard Finnish conjugation patterns for this class.

Usage: Tarkentaa is used to refine information by elaborating on aspects that are unclear or underspecified. It often appears with nouns such as vaatimukset (requirements), aikataulut (timelines), suunnitelmat (plans), and kysymykset (questions). Common constructions include declarative forms like "Tarkennetaan vaatimuksia" and questions such as "Voisitteko tarkentaa, mitä tarkoitatte?" It is also employed in instructional or collaborative contexts to guide participants toward greater specificity.

Conjugation notes: Infinitive tarkentaa. Present tense forms include minä tarkennan, sinä tarkennat, hän tarkentaa. Other persons: me tarkennamme, te tarkennatte, he tarkentavat. The passive form is tarkennetaan. Past tense: tarkensi. Perfect aspect: tarkentanut. Imperative forms: tarkenna! (singular) and tarkentakaa! (plural). These forms illustrate regular conjugation for the -aa verb class.

Comparison and nuance: In Finnish, tarkentaa emphasizes adding concrete details to improve understanding, often in contrast to broader or vaguer statements. It is typically more formal than everyday verbs for clarifying ideas, and it is commonly found in documentation, technical writing, and collaborative discussions. Related verbs include täsmentää (to specify precisely) and selvittää (to investigate or determine).